Chinese foreign minister set to visit Australia as Beijing prepares to drop wine tariffs

Key PointsChina’s foreign minister Wang Yi is meeting with counterpart Penny Wong.The case of detained Australian Yang Hengjun is set to be front and centre of the talks. Trade barriers against Australian products, conflict prevention and regional security are also on the agenda.

China’s foreign minister will visit Australia and meet with counterpart Penny Wong as Beijing nears the removal of punitive tariffs on Australian wine.

Wang Yi will arrive in Canberra on Wednesday, when the two ministers will meet for ministerial dialogue,

set to be a key topic of discussion.

It will be the first time the two foreign ministers come face to face after a Chinese court sentenced the writer to a two-year suspended death sentence, after which he faces the prospect of life in prison.

Yang was found guilty of espionage charges in China in February after spending five years behind bars.

The remaining trade barriers against Australian products, conflict prevention and regional security are also on the agenda.

China has recommended tariffs against wine be dropped in an interim finding from its review of the measure.

The five-month review was triggered after Australia suspended its World Trade Organisation case against Beijing.

The final decision is expected by 31 March but China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian says the review is moving in the right direction.

Dialogue was central to a constructive relationship with China and supporting regional peace, Wong said.

“Australia’s approach is consistent; we seek to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest,” she said.

Sanctions worth $2 billion remain on wine, rock lobster and some abattoirs.

Beijing imposed $20 billion in sanctions on Australian products during heightened tensions in 2020.

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